Is Rhinoplasty Worth It? Pros and Cons Of Nose Surgery

If you dislike the nose you were born with, want to restore it to its previous shape after sustaining an injury, or simply want to enhance your existing profile, a rhinoplasty (nose job) is a plastic surgery procedure to consider. Almost any aspect of the nose—from its size and width, to the nostrils, bridge, and tip—can be successfully altered by an expert surgeon. Patients who choose The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery for a rhinoplasty in the Portland area start off with an in-depth consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, which is recommended. To determine whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure, a surgeon will also assess your skin and bone structure in the nasal area.  

Having a rhinoplasty is a personal decision and can significantly alter the face for good. Note that an experienced surgeon will consider the way changing your nose will impact other parts of your face. The size of the nose will influence the way the chin, eyes, forehead, and other facial features appear. 

Because of this surgery’s impact, before you make a final decision on the rhinoplasty before and after, there are many questions to ask yourself. Think about the reasons why you want a change—and particularly why you think surgery is the answer for you.  

It is important to understand that rushing into a decision when you’re in a vulnerable psychological state or being pressured by someone else can potentially cause you to be dissatisfied with your results in the long term. A rhinoplasty can make you feel more confident in some cases, but can’t make all the other areas of your life perfect. 

Plastic surgeons should assess whether a patient is in a strong enough physical and mental state to be ready for nose reshaping surgery, and ideal patients maintain realistic expectations and a positive outlook. Some patients may find another procedure more suitable or prefer to embrace their existing facial characteristics.

 That said, when rhinoplasty is carefully considered, the surgery can improve self-esteem and overall quality of life. According to some sources, there is a very high patient satisfaction rate of 91% for rhinoplasty. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that in 2018, it was the third most popular cosmetic surgical treatment in the United States, after liposuction and breast augmentation.  

Part of its popularity may be attributed to the fact that it is so versatile. The surgery can be customized to address a nose that is too large, a bump on the bridge, a crooked shape, or nose tip and nostril irregularities. 

Men usually have different aesthetic preferences than women. For women, a rhinoplasty is often chosen to make the nose appear smaller and more delicate, while men may want a straighter nose that is more proportionate, but still distinct. 

Additionally, patients should consider whether they are fully educated on the ins and outs of the procedure, including all of the costs involved. As rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure, a significant recovery period if often necessary. During this down time, it’s common to experience side effects like swelling, bruising, discomfort, and nausea. Ask yourself: Is that something you would be prepared to go through? Adding to that, the post-surgery swelling can last for several months.  

Around a year after the operation, the nose should have fully settled into its new shape without any obvious signs that you’ve had plastic surgery. Modern techniques ensure that the outcome has a long lifespan. Your post-rhinoplasty look isn’t necessarily guaranteed to look the same way forever, because the nose continues to grow slightly while you advance in age, and the skin, fat, bone, and muscle on the face change in other ways.  

The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery provides comprehensive care before, during, and after rhinoplasty procedures at its Portland, OR, practice. If you’d like to learn more, call 503-882-0124 or send a message online.